The Sprout
Botley in Bloom Best Front Garden Over All, 100 West Way
The newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 149 July 2020
The Sprout
Issue 149, July 2020
Contents
3 Letters
5 Botley in Bloom
9 News from Hill End
13 WWCC update
17 Botley responds
20 Lockdown support
21 All at once...
23 Lockdown Lessons
25 Food parcels
27 Kennington Health Centre
29 Citizens Advice
33 Outdoor pursuits
34 Botley shops
36 Randoms
38 Local organizations
From the Editor
Welcome to the first paper Sprout since April. Although the crisis is by no
means over, our delivery team feel that we can cover the streets of North
Hinksey Parish again without risk. Covid-19 themed articles include an
account of the Botley Responders (p.17), and on p.25 Riki Therivel takes
you on one of the thrice weekly food parcel deliveries to homeless
people. The Patients’ Participation Group continues to be anxious about
the future of Kennington Health Centre (p.27) despite reassurance from
the Surgery, and the Parish Council recently resolved to write a letter to
our MP in support. There’s a poem on page 21 which vividly evokes the
dread and bewilderment that come with all the mixed messages, while
Lockdown Lessons (p.23) has a laugh at the madness of it all. We have
tried to get a handle on which shops we can hope to see open and when
(p.34), and there’s an update on outdoor spaces now open for visits
(p.33). This year Hill End Camp is 100 years old (p.9), but celebrations
have been drastically affected, although they hope to open again over the
summer holidays. Last but not least, we proudly announce the winners of
the Botley in Bloom competition (p.5). The winning garden is shown on
our front cover. Congratulations to everyone who entered.
Ag MacKeith
Letters to the editor
Lockdown love
Back in March when the “lockdown” started I wondered how I was going
to get through the foreseeable future of home schooling, working from
home, not seeing family and friends and being stuck in the house for
hours on end. Little did I know that there was such a big local
community full of support and hope which already existed!
Aware how lucky I was to be able to continue to work and have a nice
house and garden, my thoughts quickly turned to the less fortunate,
vulnerable and homeless, and I joined various WhatsApp and Facebook
groups to try and help in any way I could. I soon saw how much the
local community had already come together in terms of the community
fridge, supporting the local homeless community and shopping for the
vulnerable. Quickly street coordinators around the area were set up to
check up on any more vulnerable neighbours and requests for help
processed and actioned by a team of volunteers.
I was also woken up to the amount of fantastic local small businesses I
have on my doorstep, which I hope people can continue to support as
we come out of this crisis, as they have done throughout lockdown.
Talking to my neighbours more, and coming together every week with
the people on my street during the weekly clap for NHS, allowed me to
have the regular communication with people that I have missed so
much. Yarnells Road has such a brilliant neighbourly spirit!
As time went on and we were able to venture outside for longer periods
I started to notice how much love there was in the community with
rainbow after rainbow in windows, hundreds of beautiful pebbles
painted in every park and nature trail in the local area, free boxes of
toys/books/puzzles/plants outside
houses and a friendly smile and
hello from any stranger who
“socially distanced” walked by.
I have lived in the area since I was
15 and never been prouder to be
part of such a great community of
people and businesses!
Megan Tompkins
BOTLEY IN BLOOM
My fellow judge, Janet Bartlam, and I have just
finished the most blissful task of strolling around
the area looking at the front gardens of those who
entered The Sprout’s Botley in Bloom competition.
The competition was resurrected as so many people
have taken the opportunity to spend more time gardening
this year, but for front gardens only due to the current
social distancing restrictions. You may have seen us with
our essential judging equipment of comfy trainers, sunhats,
pens and clipboards for the scoresheets, and in my case mobile phone
for taking photos of the many inspiring and gorgeous gardens. We had
many ‘ooh, love that’ moments, such as the rubber duck on a chair high
on the side wall of number 44 Westminster Way, but concentrated on
the gardens themselves.
I am delighted to announce the winners in each of the three categories
as follows:
BEST OVERALL FRONT GARDEN
1st prize Flat 1, 100 West Way. Jane Bailey and Jamie Bartram
were worthy outright winners with a stunning newly created garden that
everyone in the building can enjoy. Top marks for beautiful planting and
design. Wildlife friendly and well integrated veg too. (See cover photo.)
2nd prize 94 North Hinksey Lane. Phil Bloomer and Ruth Mayne’s
colourful bee-friendly planting is most impressive.
Highly Commended 50 St Paul’s Crescent. Caroline Cockman’s
pretty pots are a delight.
We’d also like to mention the garden that Danny Connors has created
outside SS Peter & Paul Church. He has added a lot of colour and
done an excellent job which everyone can enjoy.
BEST CAR BOWER
1st prize 5 Crabtree Road. Emmett and Catherine Casley have
created a design that we felt is really sympathetic to the house and will
look good all year round. (See photo opposite)
2nd prize 43 Arnold’s Way. Jan Martin’s garden displays beautiful
planting.
Highly Commended 25 Conifer
Close. We liked Ruth Camerons
well designed car bower.
BEST VEGETABLE ELEMENT
1st prize 15 Poplar Road. Peter
England and Elisabeth Clarke’s
really lovely and imaginative garden
is a great example of how much fruit
and veg can be grown in a small
space and with flair too. (See
photo below)
2nd prize 13 Maple Close.
Andrea Flear has a wonderful mix of
fruit bushes, herbs and veg in a
pretty garden.
Highly Commended 28 Montagu Road. Christie Burland-Upton has
some great ideas. We particularly liked the use of recycled materials,
including the pallet for herbs and salad.
Thanks to the
generosity of North
Hinksey Parish Council
we can award National
Garden Scheme
vouchers for all 1st and
2nd places. First prize
will be a voucher for
£40 with £25 for
second. We will be
presenting certificates
and prizes as soon as
present lockdown
restraints allow.
Most of all our thanks go to all those who entered the competition, with
congratulations to everyone whose hard work and imagination gives so
much pleasure to the rest of the neighbourhood. Viv Smith
Seacourt Hall in lockdown: behind the scenes
Around two months after the successful Open Day at the new Seacourt
Hall, and a month after the popular Botley Big Green Day co-hosted
with St Peter & St Paul Church, we had to close our doors to the public
due to COVID-19. That was in late March 2020.
Since that time, as reported in previous issues of The Sprout, the hall
has been host to the brilliant Botley Community Fridge as their storage
and packing facility. We are pleased to continue to support this initiative
that is currently providing essential provisions to the community.
Meantime, the work of Seacourt Hall continues behind the scenes.
Before lockdown we appointed a new Hall Manager, Lottie Smith. Lottie
is currently working from home on reduced hours. She has been in
touch with all our regular users, is working on our documentation,
administration and our new website. You can contact Lottie on the new
email address admin@seacourthall.org.uk.
The new website (see photo) and online booking system is now live at:
www.seacourthall.org,uk. Please take a look at the new website which
is designed to be more user-friendly, so it is easier to find what’s on and
how to book. It also features our new logo and more photographs.
There is a new online booking system that you can use to find a space
and book online. You can expect to hear back within two working days.
As we are currently closed until further notice, bookings will not be
confirmed but they will be held until we know when we can reopen.
If the government’s plan for step 3 goes ahead, it is possible that
community halls will be able to open from early July. We discussed this
at our recent online Management Committee meeting, and agreed to
postpone opening until 1st August at the earliest in order to put in place
policies for hygiene, cleaning and other necessary processes. We are
monitoring the situation and will review this again shortly. Meantime,
Lottie is in touch with our regular users to find out what their plans are
for resuming activities.
We also agreed to postpone our AGM which is usually held in
September: we would prefer to have it in person so it is easier for the
public to attend. It may be in October, look out for an update in the
September Sprout.
Please keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates
over the summer. We will announce any changes and reopening plans
as soon as we can. We look forward to a time when we can safely
reopen this new hall facility to the community and welcome you back.
Lorna Berrett, Chair, Seacourt Hall Management Committee
News from Hill End
Back in February, a team from Hill End attended the Botley Big Green
day, and had a brilliant time meeting local families and letting them
know about all the exciting things we had planned for 2020. How things
have changed since then.
In the early spring we were busy with school groups and families
enjoying the outdoors despite the wet weather. Then, like so many
others, we found our bookings dried up overnight. Schools closed,
public gatherings stopped, and we experienced weeks of glorious
sunshine, enjoyed by the sheep rather than schoolchildren.
This will be such a challenging year as we rely on customer bookings,
especially in the summer months, to continue our work. It’s going to be
a difficult time, but we are determined to keep going, and hugely
appreciate the support and donations we have received. Thank you!
It’s particularly disappointing as 2020 marks 100 years of education on
the Wytham Estate, for us and our next-door neighbours, Wytham
Woods. We’ve needed to postpone all the wonderful community events
we had planned, but we do hope our local supporters will be able to join
us for those in the future.
But it is excellent news that we’ve been able to move some of these
celebrations online in particular a fantastic new short history film
commissioned by Wytham Woods for our centenary. We’ve had to
postpone our screening event, but you can view the film online, which
also includes some wonderful footage of children and the buildings from
the 1930s. See our website for the link to the film: www.hill-end.org
We are also
incredibly grateful to
Wytham Woods for
donating the
proceeds from their
new poetry
anthology ‘The
Woods of Hazel’ to
Hill End. This lovely
book is the first
released by their
Writer in Residence,
inspired by the
woods and local
nature. It is available
to purchase at a very
reasonable price
from the University of Oxford, and all these donations will benefit
outdoor education for young people. See the Wytham Woods website
for details: www.wythamwoods.ox.ac.uk
From 6 July we will start to reopen gradually, firstly to schools and those
most in need, but we hope also to open to families over the summer if
possible. We have 67 acres of wonderful outdoor space, so we hope it
won’t be too long before it is safe to welcome our visitors back. Please
do see our website and follow us on social media to be the first to know!
Until then, the site remains quiet, the flowers are in bloom, and all the
wildlife is thriving. We hope it won’t be too long before we are able to
share it all with you.
Could you be a Friend of Hill End? The Friends are looking for new
members to join their friendly group and help support the Hill End
Charitable Trust by fundraising or volunteering whatever time and skills
you might be able to share. Please get in touch if you can help in any
way – thank you! Our email address is admin@hill-end.org
Lucy Crittenden, Communication and Finance Manager
West Way Community Concern
update on the plan to increase the size of Block A
Objections: At the time of writing, consultation on the planning
application has formally closed, with nearly 200 comments submitted
objecting to the changes. North Hinksey and Cumnor parish councils
have both objected. The application has been called in by our district
councillor which means the decision will be made by the planning
committee, not by the planning officer.
Reasons for objection are:
A building of 9 storeys is contrary to the Botley Centre
Supplementary Planning Document;
No additional car parking is provided, putting additional pressure on
local streets;
The increased density of housing, with no additional outdoor space
will create a worse environment for those living there;
There are issues around the security and convenience of the cycle
store and refuse store;
Increasing the size of this block adds only further environmental
harm to the area, provides no economic benefit, and would have an
adverse social impact on residents of the block itself and of Botley.
The Crime Prevention Design Advisor for Thames Valley Police has
some serious concerns in relation to community safety/crime prevention
design. The car park is not secure, with open access 24/7, so it is highly
likely that the current homelessness and drug related problems in the
vicinity will migrate to these facilities. We understand that Botley
Development Company has been reluctant to register with the ‘Secured
by Design’ scheme, which would have meant these issues were dealt
with during the design phase. We will raise this with them at the next
Community Liaison Group meeting.
Oxford Preservation Trust have objected on the grounds that the
development will harm the character of the views from Oxford.
Visual impact: Botley Development Company have been asked to
submit a Visual Impact Assessment, rather than rely on vague
statements saying that, although the new building would be more visible
from various viewpoints, this does not make any difference.
Once the Visual Impact Assessment has been received, we expect
there to be another period of consultation, following which the planning
officer will make a recommendation and then the application will be
considered by Planning Committee.
Viability and affordable housing: We remain concerned by the
Viability Submission which concludes that the development is not
making sufficient profit, hence the wish to include more flats. They also
raise the case for re-negotiating the payments in lieu of affordable
housing agreed in 2016 as part of the planning consent for this centre.
We don’t yet understand how it is that, with an increased number of
flats, and an assumption that prices will have increased by 15% since
2016, this development does not achieve more profit than the approved
scheme. If it is because market conditions have changed, construction
costs and other costs have increased in the last four years, then we
consider that this is the risk developers must take. It would be quite
shocking if BDC were to renege on the agreed payments in lieu of
affordable housing. We don’t need student accommodation in Botley,
but we do need affordable housing.
We trust that the planning officer and committee will recognise that this
development must not be allowed to become worse than the approved
plans.
Plans for opening the centre: So far Co-op, Tesco, Iceland, Lloyds
Pharmacy and the estate agents Chancellors are the only ones signed
up, along with Premier Inn. We have been told that the Co-op is planned
to open early in July, followed by the others. The centre is expected to
open in August with the remaining vacant units to let. The rental charges
have been set at a level likely to be affordable only to national chains,
and because of the Covid situation potential retail and hospitality
tenants are not able to commit.
More information on our website, and email address is below.
westwayconcern@gmail.com; westwayconcern.wordpress.com
Mary Gill, Chair, WWCC
Swapping, sharing, shopping and singing –
Botley responds!
In the past three months Botley’s community spirit has become a
movement for action, help and support in ways many of us could not
have imagined.
It started with individual streets setting up support groups using leaflets,
email and WhatsApp, and promoting this on the Botley Notice Board
Facebook Group. In my Parish Council role as webmaster and
Communications Committee chair I started a web page with advice and
support and called a Zoom meeting with members of these groups.
From there we created the Botley Responders to co-ordinate the street
groups, respond to urgent needs, share ideas, news, advice, and
support.
This group of more than 50 individuals has achieved so much: from
shopping, Community Fridge referrals, prescription pick-ups to a friendly
phone calls and information for those unable to leave home because
they are shielding, vulnerable, or alone with small children. We act as a
local support network and have had 35 cases referred to us by the Vale
Council and doctors’ surgery.
We‘ve also distributed 1000 leaflets to households not online and put up
around 100 posters. Having the network of Botley Responders has
been so important. I’m impressed that there is always someone
available and willing to help at short notice.
It’s also amazing to see neighbours sharing, swapping and supporting
and getting to know each other. Here are some highlights from the
Botley Responders:
Rosy Owen: It's been lovely in Pinnocks Way! Everyone sharing,
lending things or popping to the shops for each other... And when a little
one had a birthday, loads of people put happy birthday signs up in their
windows!! We're going to try to set up a yearly street party because
we've all got to know each other and have enjoyed coming together!
Corinne Simmons: Hazel Road had our scarecrows up on the street
that we created and had lots of visitors to see them. We are now all
growing sunflowers that will be in our front gardens later this year.
Quizzes are regular and we've even had an ongoing story written about
our street during lockdown posted regularly by one resident. Also
Georgia Wren from Hazel Road ran a marathon in her back garden over
the course of a week. The last metres were run up and down the road in
a spiderman costume. Raised £1,046 for Women's Aid and Oxford
Hospital Charities
Claire Bunce: Maple Close had a group tidy up the grass verges and
weeds, and raised money for SeeSaw, who one resident works for, by
walking/running 26 laps of the Close. Along with, like the rest of the
community, swapping, sharing, shopping and singing!
Penny Rivers: We’ve had the ‘Swap Shop’ going on in the Hawthorns
(Denton, Orchard, Stubble and Browns) redistributing what we have
found and no longer have use for during lockdown clear-outs. A
neighbour missed out on their wedding day but instead shared a
socially distanced glass of fizz. It’s really connected so many people
who had been neighbours but strangers for years beforehand.
Sarah Clay: Lots of swapping of things on Arthray Road from books
to bricks, toys to egg boxes and various other things. Also picking up
prescriptions for someone who couldn't get out, and hiding painted
stones on the road for the little kids to find. Definitely feel I know more of
my neighbours now!
Melissa Kinnear: On Cedar Road, Carmen started her photographic
project with her local network, different people post bits and pieces
about what they have cleared out, one of the neighbours bulk cooks and
shares the extra food, and faces are more familiar when we walk along
the road or even in the park.
Celia Clark: We've also had people help fix cars, reunite lost dogs and
offer space in brown bins. We've directed people with spare food to the
community fridge and are now setting up a neighbourhood watch to
combat the burglaries we've had around here. It feels like we can be a
more resourceful and self-managing community now we're connected.
As some restrictions begin to lift it’s important to remember that the
crisis is not over and that these support services are still here and ready
to help you. Here’s a reminder of the contact details: Website:
northhinksey-pc.gov.uk/covid-19-community-hub/ and email: BotleyRes
ponders@gmail.com Check the list of Street Co-ordinators on the
parish council website to find your nearest Botley Responder, as well as
local online groups and all sorts of information to help you at this time,
There’s a list of useful addresses on page 20.
So what about the future? I feel sure all these connections made in
crisis will continue with ideas proposed already such as street parties
and a local “library of things”. In the Parish Council we are discussing
how to develop and extend emergency support into an ongoing resilient
communities plan. We’d love to hear your ideas. Please feel free to
email me (Lberrett.nhpc@gmail.co) or any of the Parish Councillors or
your local Botley Responder. And a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone
supporting the brilliant Botley community! Lorna Berrett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P20/V1209/HH Windrush Vernon Ave. Insert circular
gable window and roof lights.
27 May
TDD: 22 July
P20/V1297/DIS
Discharge of #28
(travel plan)
P19/V1731/FUL
Botley Centre West Way. Variation of
condition 2 - approved plans to
application P19/V0416/FUL for
changes to block B.
2 June
TDD:14 July
P20/V1156/FUL Unit 10, Block C Westway Place.
Installation of air conditioning
condenser to the rear elevation.
4 June
TDD:30 July
Comments by 7/7
All at once and not at the same time
Locked in together and so far apart
Hold my hand and keep your distance
Listen to music with me and dance alone
Smile at me and frown when I get too close
All at once and not at the same time
Shelves and parks are empty and our minds are full
Go for a run and slow down
Cook more and eat less
Laugh until you cry and don’t be sad
All at once and not at the same time
Don’t hurt yourself and push boundaries
Climb that mountain and stay safe in your bed
You’re precious and go to work and risk yourself
Please go out and you must stay at home
All at once and not at the same time
I have everything I need and I want so much more
I understand and yet I have no idea
Confuse me and tell me it will be OK
Such a blessing and so much a curse.
All at once and not at the same time
Dream big and keep your ideals small
Grow with me and clap alone
Share your thoughts and keep your secrets close
You’re a complete stranger and a really good friend.
All at once and not at the same time
Clare Isaacs
Lock-down Lessons Learnt
Thank heaven the last four months haven’t been wasted. Much has
been learnt in preparation for the next bout of plague or pestilence.
Jigsaws
Marvellous tension relieving diversion but avoid the 1,000-piece jigsaw
which has more than a quarter of the picture sadistically devoted to a
blue sky.
Haircuts
However uncomfortable you feel, don’t try to cut
your own hair. When out and about it will look
as if you have been self-harming or a victim of
domestic abuse. Kitchen utensils were never
designed for this purpose.
Gardening
This is a perfect job-creation scheme. Take care when agreeing to
reposition a shrub, as the knock-on effect is such that by the end of
month four, you will find all those shrubs you moved are back in their
original positions.
If desperate for gardening jobs, why not plant out some weeds? Then a
while later, when fully established, you can take the hoe to them.
Perfect, another day taken care of!
Family Quizzes
Grandparents in particular should take care when setting questions to
cover all age groups. 12-year-olds really don’t care if Cary Grant’s real
name was Archibald Alexander Leach. Also try not to patronise the
young ones, they will assume a question about Lady Gaga’s number
one hit is a reference to grandma whacking grandpa.
Decorating
Three coats will be needed! You are at home so long you keep spotting
bits you’ve missed. You’ve been warned!
Daily Briefing
Do not have drink in hand when watching this programme. TV sets are
really not designed to absorb beer or wine.
Has this helped? Toodle pip, just off to put on the third coat!
Mike Bartlam
Delivering food parcels
Amy, Joe and I arrive at the Botley community fridge in Seacourt Hall at
4:30pm to pack parcels for our thrice-weekly cycle deliveries to people
experiencing homelessness. We pack about 20 parcels when the
weather is bad and people are more likely to stay under cover, and 25
when the weather is good. We used to pack ‘balanced’ parcels
containing baked beans, soup, fruit, bread and sweets. However
feedback showed that what people really like are what are now our
‘standard’ parcels - sweets, crisps and soft drinks and we supplement
that with healthier stuff if people want.
The food comes from people’s
donations, the Oxford Food Bank, and
surplus from Aldi and Waitrose.
Amy and Joe load the standard
parcels into their backpacks and
saddle bags. Amy also fills up a bag
with toiletries, including face masks
which are now required on public
transport. I fill my bags with tins of
soup, baked beans, stew and fish (all
with pull rings since most homeless
people don’t own tin openers); pot
noodles; cereal and UHT milk; bread,
honey and jam; fruit; and plastic
cutlery. If we know that we’ll see I&H,
I also take cat food since they are
hosting a cat and her newborn kittens. We are carrying as much as we
can manage by the time we leave the hall.
First stop is off the Botley Road, in an area where half a dozen heavy
drinkers often congregate. They all want standard parcels, but only two
are sleeping roughthe rest are temporarily housed at the youth hostel
or in group housing and only they take extra food. Next stop is an
encampment where a shifting number of people have set up a
remarkably civilised home, with a fire pit, sitting area, and decorations
on the trees. We call loudly “Is anyone home? We’re bringing food
parcels,” but nobody is there. We leave two parcels near the fire pit.
Most of our food disappears at St Aldates Church. The church has
been serving boxes of warm dinner pasta bake, shepherd’s pie and
the like to an increasing number of homeless people every day during
lockdown. We arrive near the end of their 5–5.30 session and our
standard parcels provide dessert and a drink. Many people there are
long-term homeless, sleeping rough or in very precarious
accommodation, and take a lot of tins. The tuna and sardines are
particularly popular today, and I could have got rid of ten lots of
chocolate-flavoured cereal (another favourite) and UHT milk if I could
carry that much.
Over time, we have got to know a lot of the people: I&H with their cats,
R who dresses beautifully and only wants baked beans, W who takes
as much meat-type food as we allow, B who embarrassingly tries to kiss
our feet, L who only wants the ‘softies’ (soft drinks), grumpy G who
complains regardless of what we give him but always comes back for
more. Social distancing is impossible, as they all hang out in jolly
proximity to each other on the benches. The best we can do is wear
masks and ask people to form a queue. Everyone thanks us politely
and waves goodbye when we leave.
With almost empty bags, we head towards the city centre where a
shifting
population of
regulars busk
and beg. I
have held onto
a tin of stew for
C who loves
the stuff, but he
is not in front of
Tesco so S
gets that, with
the last plastic
fork. “I’m out
of bags,” says
Amy. “I have
one left,” says
Joe. We cycle
back down Queen Street and spot A on a bench. He takes Joe’s last
bag and my last loaf of bread. Its 5:50pm, and the end of another cycle
delivery. Riki Therivel
The Future of Kennington Health Centre:
report from the PPG and Botley Medical Centre
At a meeting held on 9th June betweem Botley Medical Centre and
Botley/Kennington PPG, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group,
and Healthwatch Oxfordshire it was clarified that Kennington Health
Centre may continue as a CALM (Coronavirus Assessment Liaison and
Monitoring) clinic for the immediate future, depending on how the
pandemic progresses. The Kennington clinic is well placed and
relatively isolated compared to other possible centres. This may mean
that part of the centre is used for Covid 19 testing but another part could
be open to other patients.
Nothing is decided yet. It was emphasised that Kennington Health
Centre has never been closed and there are no plans to close it.
The PPG urged consideration to be given to the issue of transport for
patients having to travel to Botley from Kennington especially on public
transport and during busy times when the A34 can be slow. The other
concern must be the increase in the population both in Kennington and
Botley with the new housing developments in progress with more
potential patients moving into both Botley and Radley and surrounding
areas, and the impact on appointments.
Various consultation methods have been successfully used for a lot of
the patients including telephone, Facetime and Skype, and face to face,
although currently face-to-face consultations are reduced due to the
pandemic. The PPG pointed out that for many telephone consultations
were not appropriate, in particular for those with impaired hearing or
speech, those with mental health concerns as well as others who are
simply anxious and cannot communicate effectively over the phone.
We were informed that other practitioners are now employed at the
practice including a Paramedic and Social Prescriber, which will
increase the number of practitioners available. Also, despite being
advised earlier by the practice that historically Kennington had a larger
than average older population, this is not the case.
The PPG is keen to work with the practice to support them and
communicate with them and the patients to ensure changes and
developments are reported and understood as they develop.
Sylvia Buckingham, Chair, Patients’ Participation Group
Citizens Advice
can help you in so many ways –
and you can help them, too!
Financial advice
If you are facing financial problems in the wake of the coronavirus
pandemic, Citizens Advice can help find a way forward.
Citizens Advice research has revealed that currently over 13 million
people are unable to pay, or expect to be unable to pay, at least one of
their household bills. These bills are higher than usual in any case
because the population is spending more time at home during the
lockdown. For 11 million of these people, a missed bill could have
drastic consequences: eviction, the bailiffs, or disconnection.
It is vital that you do not give way to despair, feel isolated with your
problems and consider that you have to solve them all by yourself. For
instance, Citizens Advice can help maximise your income with a benefit
check if your working hours have dropped or if you are made redundant.
We can help you decide on the best way to manage your debts in your
individual situation. Get in touch with us by telephone on Adviceline
(0300 330 9042). There is also a lot of useful information on our website
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk where you can also chat online.
Research and Campaigns
People often see Citizens Advice as a quick fix” centre, rather like the
garage that changes your car tyres you pop into our office, or ring
Adviceline, or you check the facts on our comprehensive website. But
there’s more to Citizens Advice than quick fixes.
“Research and Campaigns” (R&C) is a part of Citizens Advice with a
different task, a long-term one that demands much effort and patience.
It has the job of collecting evidence on emerging social problems and
then directly petitioning the people or organizations including
ministers, local MPs and government departments that have the
power to solve or alleviate them.
These campaigns have been remarkably successful, often making use
of the media to put their point across. In 2019 R&C contributed to the
surge of action that led to the scrapping of tenant fees. It also submitted
a “super-complaint” on the Loyalty Penalty, whereby long-standing
customers in some services (e.g. insurance) often end up paying more
than new customers for the same service. Noting the rise in demand for
food vouchers, R&C highlighted the issue of pressure on household
budgets because of slow payment schedules for Universal Credit. R&C
also issues occasional publications such as “Putting the house in order”,
which described failings in the housing market.
Would you like to become one of these dedicated and hard-working
volunteers, or work for us in a different role? Details on www.caox.org
For more general help see our website www.citizensadvice.org.uk, call
Citizens Advice Adviceline on 0300 3309 042 or come and see us in
person. For locations of offices and opening hours visit
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/oxfordshire-south-vale
Citizens Advice in South and Vale needs volunteers
Could you help with:
Reception duties in Abingdon, Henley and Thame
Advisers needed in Abingdon and Didcot
Head office administration in Abingdon
IT support in Didcot and Thame
Fundraising (from any location)
Communications and website designers (from any location)
We are a local charity providing free, confidential advice. Last year, our
150 skilled advisers helped over 11,000 local people from advice
centres in Abingdon, Didcot, Faringdon, Henley, Thame and Wallingford.
Many people who come to us face difficult and sometimes frightening
problems that threaten to overwhelm them. In 2019 we helped three
quarters to resolve their problems.
For volunteers, we offer a welcoming office environment and an
opportunity to gain new skills, meet new people and make a real and
valued contribution to your local community,
It’s up to you when you volunteer. We normally ask for two half days a
week but can be flexible. If you are interested, please go to:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/oxfordshire-south-vale/volunteer/
Or email me at jon.bright@osavcab.org.uk
Jon Bright, Citizens Advice Director
Outdoor pursuits
HOORAY! The HARCOURT ARBORETUM has just reopened! Only a
short distance from town, in Nuneham Courtenay, it is a peaceful 130-
acre site, a perpetually changing feast of trees and flowering shrubs…
to say nothing of the (unwanted) resident peacocks. Its affiliate, the
OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN, in the city centre, has also now
reopened, though admission is by pre-booked time slot, unless you are
a Friend of the Gardens or have an Annual Pass.
After our long lockdown period in such tantalising weather, many
NATIONAL TRUST properties are beginning to reopen, albeit with
limitations. Currently, only gardens, grounds and car parks have
reopened, but not houses. Moreover, entrance must be pre-booked.
My perusal of the local NT sites is encouraging, so below is a list of
those that already are open. It is equally encouraging to learn that the
NT is continuing to try to open more and more sites, so by the time you
read this, more of your favourite places will once again be accessible.
WADDESDON MANOR, Aylesbury, Bucks
BADBURY HILL, Coleshill, Nr Swindon
BASILDON PARK, Reading, Berks
THE VYNE, Basingstoke, Hants
ASHDOWN HOUSE, Lambourn, Berks
STOWE, Buckingham, Bucks
HUGHENDEN HOUSE, High Wycombe, Bucks
CLIVEDEN, Maidenhead, Berks
and further afield:
OSTERLEY PARK, Isleworth, Middx
CANONS ASHBY, Daventry, Northants
CHARLECOTE PARK, Warwick, Warwickshire
Once again, by the time this is published, there will be a lot more choice
and who knows, some of the buildings might even be open to the
public again, so do consult the relevant website for up to date
information.
Ruth Cameron
Botley Shops: openings, moves and plans:
When The Sprout went online for a couple of months my job was
‘furloughed’, so I jumped at the chance for a bit of job retraining when
the Editor asked me to find out what was going on with the Botley shop
moves and re-openings.
I assumed this was going to be easy and I could do it in my PJs! Fire off
a few emails job done! But then I received this from BDC’s leasing
adviser and realised that there may be more involved to this journalism
lark: “Co-op, Tesco, Iceland, Lloyds pharmacy and Chancellors are all
either fitting out or shortly will be. We expect these stores to begin
trading from mid-July onwards but it is entirely the choice of the
individual retailers as and when they choose to open.
We have had strong interest from both local and national retail and
restaurant operators in the scheme and we are in detailed negotiation
on a number of the units.
I would hope, by the time phase 1 reaches Practical Completion
(beginning of September) that over 75% of the available retail space will
either be trading or in legal hands. Given the current state of the retail
and restaurant market this demonstrates the attractiveness of both the
location and the scheme to potential tenants.”
Next I tried being a bit more direct and received this from Tesco Media
Dept: “We’re working hard to get our new Botley Express store ready to
open in late July and in the meantime our team are welcoming
customers to our temporary store in Elms Court.”
So far so unhelpful! My next level of research involved going to the
actual shop. There I learned out from the team that Tesco Express are
planning to move on 24th July!
Since I was now dressed and actually outside, here is what I found out
by talking to real people (socially distanced of course). Much of it may
well be out of date fairly soon but it was right at the time of writing!
Beauty Within: Likely to open from 4th July but check website
www.beautywithinoxford.co.uk for appointments and procedures.
Jason Flowers: Currently operating for deliveries as normal via
telephone and online. Hope to open to walk-in customers during July.
Co-op: Planning to move on 9th July.
Mobile Genie: Will be rebranded as Tech Hero, offering repairs to
phones, laptops and consoles. Opening around now.
Ideal Eyes: Open 10--4 but not Wednesday or Saturday. No NHS
services. Call for appointment
David Spicer: Open 9--5.30 Monday to Friday and 9--5 Saturday by
appointment only. No NHS services.
Botley Dentist: Normal hours by appointment. No routine inspections
and mainly ‘emergency’ interventions, with priority to current patients.
Chancellors: Open now with move planned for August/September.
Andrews Estate Agents: Open as usual.
McColl’s: Open 7 days with reduced hours.
Hedges Butchers: Open now with an additional selection of fresh
vegetables, eggs and delicatessen items.
Lloyds: Open now with move planned for September.
Andrews Dry Cleaning: Open 9--1 Monday to Saturday but may open
longer when business picks up. Andrew asks that customers collect
garments left when shop shut in March.
S&R Childs: Open but short staffed. No walk-in, just appointments for
now.
Botley Barber: Probably open from 4th July.
Iceland: Very informative email from their Director of Corporate Affairs
saying that they will open on Tuesday 11th August with a low-key launch
to avoid queues. Is this clever reverse psychology?
Taylors: Unfortunately, no idea since no one called back.
Post Office: Currently 9--12.30 Monday to Friday. The consultation
about a plan to move into the new Coop is finished but if the move goes
ahead they expect to be open from 8am to 8pm, 6 days a week.
Further afield McDonalds should be open by the time you read this and
Home Bargains are now fitting out former ToysRUs, next to Aldi.
I am not sure that I will get another journalistic assignment, but we will
be back in September with a full issue of The Sprout.
Michael Cockman, Sprout advertising manager
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Randoms
News from Botley Medical Centre
If you are 70 yrs old and above, vulnerable or in the Government‘s
“shielding” list, and a patient of Botley and Kennington Medical Practice,
expect to receive a phone call to check on your welfare from one of their
Social Prescribers. Frances, (OxFed) and Sarah, (PCN WhiteHorse-
Botley) have now been joined by a new member of staff, Hazel, to
support them in contacting patients one by one. They will advise you
about volunteer groups, prescriptions delivery, life during Pandemic, etc.
(In the meantime, you might like to look at the list of useful addresses at
the back of the Sprout, Ed.)
Art Competition
The Ashmolean is holding a competition for artworks expressing a
creative response to a situation which has affected everyone and every
aspect of our lives this year. It could reflect on the experience of
lockdown and being at home, on things that you are missing or looking
forward to when life resumes, or sources of inspiration and hope during
the difficult circumstances that we are all facing. The competition is
open to everyone based in the UK and will be judged in three age
categories:
– under 11 years
– aged 11–17
– aged 18 and over
Your entry can be any type of visual artwork: painting, drawing,
printmaking, computer aided design, textiles, photography, sculpture,
video art or collage. The deadline is 31 July.
Art exhibition
If you prefer to just look, Botley Arts is pleased to announce that as St
Peter & St Paul's Church on Westway has reopened, there is a chance
to view the continued exhibition of work by the North Hinksey Art Group.
Although some of the paintings have been sold now, there remains a
sparkling selection of work by local artists. Protective measures against
the Virus are in place, and hand sanitisers are at the door for your use.
The Church is open from 10am to 4pm daily.
Thames Water
Thames Water can help in the current crisis. If your water supply should
go down, they will deliver bottled water to people with water-dependent
medical conditions (i.e. at-home dialysis) and to those with mobility
issues, first of all. If you have online access you can register as a
priority customer at thameswater.co.uk/extrasupport. If you have no
internet access, you can register over the phone (0800 009 3652 option
3) or you can ask for a paper application form in the post with a free
return envelope. If you need help with water bills, find out more at
https://www.thameswater.co.uk/my-account/billing-and-payment/help-
paying-your-bill And last but not least, they have developed some fun
water-testing games to pass the time, see https://youtu.be/oJ5DIE-3SKI
Naturehood
Did you follow up the invitation in the April Sprout to join Naturehood in
recording the wildlife in your garden? It’s a community science project
that provides resources for wildlife (e.g. ponds, bird feeders, flower
beds) and monitors the effects. You can find tools to support groups and
individuals wanting to make a tangible difference for the wildlife on their
doorsteps at https://www.naturehood.uk/ Is this something your Street
Responders group could do together after Lockdown? Contact Claire
cnarraway@earthwatch.org.uk, or Kat kmcgavin@earthwatch.org.uk
for advice and help.
Scouts – 15th Oxford
Come September, the 15th Oxford Scout troop, based in the new
shopping centre above the Baptist church in the Botley Hub will have
spaces for new Cubs and Scouts. You can find out more by emailing
Tom Freeman at tom_fr33man@hotmail.com